Chapter 69: Beautiful, I want…
S.M. Entertainment’s facilities were more complete, and their teachers were more excellent, so during the pre-debut preparation period, all Red Velvet members from DM Entertainment went to S.M. Entertainment for training.
There was also news about the new building that Minister Wu was in charge of; it was located in Samsong-dong, Gangnam District, with a total area of over 1,200 square meters. The rental price was 19,000 korean won per square meter, making the total monthly rent for the entire building approximately 24 million korean won.
However, DM Entertainment wanted a long-term lease and had an intention to purchase, so the other party offered a very favorable price.
Renting for one year would only require a payment of 25 million korean won, which was equivalent to nearly two months of free rent.
It was clear that renting the entire building was quite profitable.
This building was located in Samsong-dong, surrounded by multinational corporations, and its rent was not particularly high; some buildings in Seoul were equivalent to 120,000 to 130,000 korean won per square meter.
The reason they could rent this building was that the other company had some issues and urgently needed funds to recover. Currently, there were almost no people willing to buy an entire building. Those with the money often preferred to build their own, and this was just a small five-story building. Many individuals or companies with the financial capability looked down on such “short” buildings.
It was rare to encounter someone with a desire to purchase, so they had to seize the opportunity.
Both parties were willing, and the cooperation talks went very smoothly.
DM Entertainment’s new building had been secured, but arranging the space and changing the signage would still take some time, so they couldn't move yet. Their current office location remained in the old place.
Jiang Shu did not refuse Kim Chae-won’s mother’s request to meet him. The other party was also an old hand in the industry with good connections. Perhaps there would be a time when DM Entertainment would need her help in the future. DM Entertainment currently had no capital to be arrogant; after all, more friends meant more opportunities.
Chairman’s Office.
Jiang Shu was waiting for Kim Chae-won and her mother, Li Lanxi, to arrive. They hadn't arrived yet, but someone else had.
“MC?” Jiang Shu looked at Liu Zhimin across the table, puzzled.
Today, Liu Zhimin’s attire was very tasteful. She wore a specially designed white halter top that ended above her navel, revealing her midriff. The split gauze fabric draped down like two long tails on either side of her body. Her blue jeans complemented the white halter top.
Although it was true that beautiful people looked good in anything, excellent styling could further enhance already beautiful looks.
Her long hair, dyed dark red, was braided into a hairstyle Jiang Shu didn't recognize, and a large yellow bow was tied at the back of her head, making her look playful and a bit cute.
Jiang Shu couldn't help but take a second look.
Liu Zhimin didn't notice Jiang Shu's gaze, or perhaps she noticed but didn't care.
“Yes,” Liu Zhimin nodded, “Minji said being an MC for music shows can significantly increase visibility, so I wanted to give it a try.”
“Who is Minji?”
“The leader of Rainbow Girls.”
Jiang Shu lost interest upon hearing this, but what the girl said wasn’t wrong.
“She’s right,” Jiang Shu thought, “Being an MC can indeed increase visibility. The company will help you apply, but whether you get selected is uncertain.”
DM Entertainment didn’t have strong connections with TV stations. Although music shows would welcome Liu Zhimin as an MC given her popularity, Jiang Shu couldn’t guarantee anything without connections.
“It’s okay, just helping me apply is enough,” Liu Zhimin said.
Jiang Shu nodded.
“Do you have no schedule today?”
“No, not this morning. I have several commercial performances this afternoon. My morning schedule is free, so they let us rest,” Liu Zhimin explained.
Jiang Shu nodded. He had been so busy lately that he hadn’t paid much attention to IVE’s schedule.
“If you have no schedule, don’t stand. Sit down and talk slowly,” Jiang Shu said, pointing to the chair across from the desk.
“Oh,” Liu Zhimin didn’t stand on ceremony and plopped down onto the chair.
“How do you feel about work lately?” Jiang Shu asked with a smile.
“It’s just… tiring,” Liu Zhimin was different from others. As the company’s first ‘royal family’ member, she showed no fear when facing Jiang Shu.
“Tired?” Jiang Shu laughed, “You won’t be tired when it’s time for settlement.”
“When do we get paid?” Liu Zhimin asked curiously.
They hadn’t received a single penny yet.
“We settle once a quarter, but considering you debuted at the end of May, the first settlement is set for the end of September, early October, which means you get an extra month,” Jiang Shu explained.
“Oh, how much money can we get?”
“I’m not sure either. You’ll have to ask Minister Wu about that.”
“I won’t ask,” Liu Zhimin pouted. “I’m not stupid. I’m not close with Minister Wu, so why would I ask her?”
Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow. Not stupid, was she?
Liu Zhimin pouted, looking “unhappy” as she leaned on the desk.
“What’s wrong? Are you in a bad mood?” Jiang Shu asked with a chuckle.
“My manager oppa won’t let me eat sweets! I’ve been sugar-free for almost a month!” Liu Zhimin said dejectedly.
“Why are you cutting out sugar?” Jiang Shu asked in surprise.
“To avoid acne and gaining weight.”
“It’s okay to eat it occasionally, right?”
“Exactly!” Liu Zhimin suddenly perked up, saying indignantly.
“It’s okay, I approve of you eating it,” Jiang Shu said with a laugh, “I have ice cream in my fridge, go get some.”
Liu Zhimin’s eyes lit up, and she shot up from her seat.
“Long live the Chairman!”
She happily ran to the refrigerator behind Jiang Shu to search for ice cream. Soon, she pulled out a stick of ice cream and ate it with a look of satisfaction.
“Are all of you required to cut out sugar?”
“Yes, all of us,” Liu Zhimin said, and under Jiang Shu’s gaze, she plopped down onto the office desk.
This action made Jiang Shu’s eyelid twitch. If it weren't Liu Zhimin, he would have kicked anyone else out.
Jiang Shu only glanced at her before refocusing his gaze on Liu Zhimin’s face.
Tsk, so beautiful, I want… uh.
Cough cough.
“Do they want to eat it?”
“Everyone except Yuan Ying wants to eat it.”
“Xiao Yuan?” Jiang Shu asked, somewhat surprised.
“Yes, she’s very disciplined. Whenever she has free time, she goes to the gym or does Pilates. She only eats what her manager oppa tells her to, and only on cheat days does she eat whatever she wants.”
“Didn’t I tell her to gain weight?” Jiang Shu asked, confused.
“Gaining weight and her dieting aren’t contradictory,” Liu Zhimin said while eating. In that short time, half of her ice cream was already gone.
A question mark appeared on Jiang Shu’s forehead. How could gaining weight and dieting not be contradictory?
Just as he was about to speak, there was a knock on the office door.
His words were interrupted, so Jiang Shu had to withdraw his gaze and look towards the door.
“Come in.”